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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Woman from America staying at my boyfriends place

649 replies

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 10:01

Me and my boyfriend have been together two years. I am 23 and he is 27. I am currently at uni in Leeds but I go to his at the weekends in Manchester.

He is a bit of an artsy type, he is a graphic designer and a freelance photographer. He writes poetry and has an Instagram account where he uploads all of his poems and short videos of spoken word. It's a bit of a community and he speaks to lots of people on the platform. He has been speaking to this woman now for a while. I didn't really have a problem with it because she lives in America and is married with 5 children. Plus I trust my boyfriend and try to be rational about things.

She told him she was taking a trip to the UK alone and he asked me if I would mind if she stayed with him so that she could save on accommodation and also have someone there who she knows and trusts. I said it was ok. I don't know why I said this.. I honestly felt ok about it at the time.

All the plans were made and he picked her up from the airport on a Sunday evening and I went back to uni. On Monday I was sat in my uni room alone studying and I text him to ask what he was up to. He said he had taken 'Claire' to the park and they were lay around on the grass. I immediately felt a rush of emotion imagining him strolling through the park with this woman. I couldn't control it I got very upset. I think it was because I was just sat there alone and he was with another woman. I trusted that he wouldn't do anything bad or disrespectful but I suddenly just felt very uncomfortable and like I was a bit of a mug. I tried not to tell him how I felt because what's done is done, she's here now. Nothing I can do. I just didn't realise that he would be out doing things with her. I thought he was just providing her a spare room to stay.

I did end up telling him how upset I was and he said "I did worry that this would happen". We ended up having an argument and I know that I am the one being unreasonable here. I said something was ok and then changed my mind once it happened. That's not his fault. I said I'd prefer it if he let her get on with things on her own. He was saying that it's unfair as she is in an unfamiliar country on her own and doesn't want to abandon her, and his mum agrees. Anyway she ended up staying in a hotel the next night.

It came to the weekend and I went to his. At this point she was in a hotel. I said I wanted to spend the weekend doing nice things together after our argument and just try to sort it out. I got to his to find an ovulation stick in his bathroom bin. Is it just me or is that weird? I don't know what is happening in her life. She may be struggling with conceiving and is being very strict with tracking. She already has 5 children though but that's none of my business. I just find it a bit rude to take an ovulation test and put it in the bin that's wide open. I would've wrapped it up and chucked it in the outside bin if I was in someone else's house. The bin doesn't have a lid. It's one of those bins you'd have in your bedroom but in the bathroom (he's a guy so never really had anything to put in it). I was a bit annoyed about it because I felt like she was taking the piss. But I tried to move past it and have a nice weekend. However he was just on his phone constantly replying to her texts while we were out. We had another argument and I have gone home to my mum's and we haven't spoken since.

I don't know where to go from here. I know this is my fault. But I really need some outside perspective on this. How would you feel? Do I even have a right to be upset? Do we just wait for her to go back home and then try and move past it or is it the end of the relationship? I'm trying to think logically and rationally without heightened feelings of jealousy in the way. But it's hard.

OP posts:
Baconking · 19/08/2023 08:33

user1492757084 · 19/08/2023 07:56

Be pleasant to Claire. Your boyfriend should not find it weird that you give Claire a look at the city. Go out with your girlfriends, or with your Aunt etc. Do a girly thing or two with her. Give your boyfriend a break.
Encourage your boyfriend to catch up with a friend or two.

Ask Claire when she will be heading elsewhere. Can you offer her accommodation somewhere in a new scenic location for a few days? Help her have a relax, make a connection and wish her well when she goes home to her children.
Also tell her that you like her and that, if you end up getting married, she might receive an invite!!

Claire is going home today

Josell12345 · 19/08/2023 08:33

Ovulation sticks nothing like the pill. Why check if youre ovulating whilst on hol? Maybe she wants child nr 6 and thats why she came over 🤔. Sounds mad but I bet Im not the only one who thought it. Also who has a complete stranger come live with them like this. Very strange behaviour amd yes in theory I can see why someone might say "oh ok thats fine", not wanting to look clingy, but when reality hits think "oh shit this isnt right"!

littlebopeepp234 · 19/08/2023 08:45

Whenthepartysover · 19/08/2023 07:47

I didn't expect my post to get so much attention. I am grateful for the support, thank you.

I didn't go to his last night because we aren't in a good place because of this so need to sort it out between us. It doesn't include her, it's none of her business, I don't want to be having this conversation while she is there. I couldn't just walk in and sit with them for tea talking because I wouldn't have felt like I could say what I wanted to say. I know some people will think that's the wrong choice because if I saw her I could see for myself. But how was the evening going to go? What was I going to say? I'd get there, they'd reassure me, I'd say ok and then we'd have a cozy night in together? Or I wouldn't say ok, and it'd turn into an argument. The issue is between me and my boyfriend and doesn't concern her anymore, I just want her to leave and never hear of her again.

I haven't slept much the past couple of nights I'm very tired and just sad and hurt. I know that the majority of people are saying the relationship needs to end but it's easy for you to say when for you this is just words on a screen, a story. It's my life and my real relationship with feelings and attachments involved. I don't want the relationship to end, but I feel like its been changed now. I'm going today so hopefully this will be easier to talk through in person

Honestly op, part of me would be thinking that I would have just gone anyway and said my piece in front of her seeing as she thinks she should be such a huge part of your bf’s life enough that she has to constantly be in contact with him day and night!

On the other hand, your bf sounds manipulative and possibly narcissistic, therefore no matter what you say to him, he will just twist and turn it back onto you and play the poor little victim and make you feel bad for thinking what you do about him and Mrs America! So in that case it would be pointless talking to him at all as he won’t be interested in your side of the story, he will only be interested in feeding you his warped (untruthful) version of the story!

If I were you I’d just leave them both to it and find someone better who isn’t going to invite random strangers into his home and be in constant contact with them when he should be spending time with you!

TrishBas · 19/08/2023 08:45

I just wanted to send you a big virtual hug 🫂 and to say "trust your gut". Good luck today 🤞🍀😊

LibbyL92 · 19/08/2023 08:47

Thoughtful2355 · 17/08/2023 10:37

Also does she have a partner? because i dont think any partner would be happy taking on the 5 kids so his partner could go to another country to stay with a random man... No way

This!

ConnieTucker · 19/08/2023 09:06

He is a very good boyfriend though and we have a good relationship
It sounds like all he does is talk. It is always about what he says. No actions.
It sounds like you always travel to him. And that the only time he left his own home and put in a bit of effort for you, he was a sulky mardy arse all weekend.

you're young. Concentrate on your degree snd early career.

ThelmaBorden · 19/08/2023 09:13

indyocean · 18/08/2023 20:00

Well i think the whole scenario is v odd

she left 5 kids at home and travelled to another continent, alone to stay with a stranger?

how bloody dangerous and risky!

whilst there she does an ovulation test?

btw are you sure it’s an ovulation stick not pregnancy test? Some cheap ones look the same

he could have been another Jack Sepple for all she knew

apart from the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery,
nightclubs,
large Primark,
there is not much to see in Manchester
(although more than in Leeds Headrow)
I would say the Amrican has come on a recce

ThelmaBorden · 19/08/2023 09:16

ConnieTucker · 19/08/2023 09:06

He is a very good boyfriend though and we have a good relationship
It sounds like all he does is talk. It is always about what he says. No actions.
It sounds like you always travel to him. And that the only time he left his own home and put in a bit of effort for you, he was a sulky mardy arse all weekend.

you're young. Concentrate on your degree snd early career.

this is good advice

the golden rule : take note of what he does not what he says

as a shrewd Glaswegian would tell you hen,

”word cost nothing “

LogicVoid · 19/08/2023 09:26

He's a poor investment of your time, heart, and hopes. He will not prove to be a worthwhile life-partner or potential father to your children. You're a smart young woman. That's why you posted, for the verification. He's a dud. Dump him. Don't look back.

Baconking · 19/08/2023 10:23

LogicVoid · 19/08/2023 09:26

He's a poor investment of your time, heart, and hopes. He will not prove to be a worthwhile life-partner or potential father to your children. You're a smart young woman. That's why you posted, for the verification. He's a dud. Dump him. Don't look back.

This!

You don't need him in your life OP. Don't allow him to distract you from your future

Just4ThisThread · 19/08/2023 10:26

Do yourself a favour OP? Reverse image search the 5 kids and husband.
This has a Netflix documentary written all over it.

ValarieKK · 19/08/2023 10:36

You are lucky you are finding out his true self now and not years down the road.
I know it hurts so badly and my heart goes out to you. 😘
Run the other way as fast as you can and have a great life.

RobinStrike · 19/08/2023 10:44

OP, I know you feel all the people commenting don't know you or your boyfriend, which is true, but maybe they have more perspective and life experience. What do people in your life think of him? Does your Mum like him? Do your friends? Do they feel he makes you happy, because it doesn't sound like that from your comments on this thread. I know you are reluctant to see him as we do because you are invested in this relationship but what would you advise your best friend to do if she were in this situation?
I know it feels like moving on without him will be a huge step, and it's going to be so difficult for you, but truly it makes sense. You could give him another 2 years of your life and then end up doing the same, and those 2 years will continue to be full of tears when you get home from seeing him.
Make friends at your university, be open to a new relationship there with someone who will really support you, boost your confidence rather than using you as a prop for their own ego. I wish you luck.

Weezypopsy · 19/08/2023 10:45

Hi OP, you poor thing, this has been a tough read.

firstly, I don’t think you are in the wrong at all. Even if it’s all

Weezypopsy · 19/08/2023 10:55

Sorry, posted too soon!

Hi OP, you poor thing, this has been a tough read.

firstly, I don’t think you are in the wrong at all. Even if it’s all innocent, you are allowed to express your discomfort at something when it turns out to feel different than you expected. A good partner would make the effort to comfort you and reassure you, not just in words but in actions too. He could easily have found time to introduce you both, where you would have been able to see how they interact. As it stands, it’s all left to fester in your head and (understandably) imagine the worst, but he has done nothing to make that better.

As others have said, she sounds crazy. Something doesn’t add up as parents do not just leave their families to go and stay with someone from the internet who lives on the other side of the world, then just hang out in a park all week. And the ovulation stick is a strange one too. My first thought was that she was tracking when was safe either because they planned to have sex or because she wanted to show him (or you) that she was ‘safe’.

And as for him, at the very least he is gaslighting you (and I don’t use that term freely as seems to often be the case at the moment!) Even if currently innocent, he is intentionally making you feel like you are the unreasonable one rather than trying to work through it. I think it’s quite likely he loves the drama of all and sees it as part of his poetic and creative character. Ugh.

I know you’ve said he’s generally a good boyfriend, and I absolutely can see why you’d say that, but it seems to be that those things are on his terms- he can dish out the gushing words but is unwilling to do anything that inconveniences him.

I hope you can sort it out this weekend, but my gut feeling is that you’re better off trusting your instincts on this one.

HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMariaa · 19/08/2023 10:56

RobinStrike · 19/08/2023 10:44

OP, I know you feel all the people commenting don't know you or your boyfriend, which is true, but maybe they have more perspective and life experience. What do people in your life think of him? Does your Mum like him? Do your friends? Do they feel he makes you happy, because it doesn't sound like that from your comments on this thread. I know you are reluctant to see him as we do because you are invested in this relationship but what would you advise your best friend to do if she were in this situation?
I know it feels like moving on without him will be a huge step, and it's going to be so difficult for you, but truly it makes sense. You could give him another 2 years of your life and then end up doing the same, and those 2 years will continue to be full of tears when you get home from seeing him.
Make friends at your university, be open to a new relationship there with someone who will really support you, boost your confidence rather than using you as a prop for their own ego. I wish you luck.

This op. You could stay in this relationship and spend your young, carefree days in tears trying to get him to change. Getting stis and STDs from him that Marr your saying life forever. Having your confidence so badly effected that it damages future relationships.

I know leaving seems impossible. These guys make you feel like they love you and no one else will because you are unlovable.

The reason people are being harsh is because a lot of them fell into this trap and let the guy destroy them.

And if you think dumping him is too painful just imagine the pain when you make excuses for him and cling on and he dumps you anyway. And he will dump you. These men are vampires and once he has drained you of everything he gets from you he will move onto a fresh young thing who 'gets him'.

Find a man that doesn't gaslight you, disrespect you and leave you crying in the bathroom. It's such a low bar.

Do it now whilst you are young and have no baggage and opportunities. Shackle yourself to this loser and unentangling and starting again will be harder the longer you wait.

You can start taking power back today. Or you can give it to him. But only you can help yourself. Deep down you know this it's why you asked. Value yourself and make the right choice.

Shineyourlightbrighter · 19/08/2023 11:14

Passerillage · 17/08/2023 10:25

She has 100% come specifically to see your boyfriend. Someone she "knows and trusts"? He is a randomer off the internet so far as she SHOULD be concerned.

Nobody leaves 5 kids at home in the US just to see (with the greatest of respect to Mancunians here) Manchester.

From here, it really does sound like she is in love with him and has come to the UK with some harebrained scheme of getting pregnant by him. Is he quite successful on Instagram?

Your spidey senses are right to be in overdrive, and if he doesn't see that he is encouraging a potential stalker (or somebody to whom he has inadvertently/intenationally given encouragement), then you should back away from him.

This. I think you should clear the air and trust your intuition. No woman in the right mind intentions is going to leave her 5 kids to go stay with some man. In a country she doesn't know. Her whole Internet story could be a lie. She might not even have kids? Who the heck knows the Internet is a weird place. I'd never let someone iv met on the net come to my personal space.who knows what their " really about" it's hard to know what ppls intentions are in general. Buy at least when you are on front of them you get a vibe feel their energy. Your intuition does the rest. I' hope you get some clarity and can move on. Ultimately you need to protect yourself and your mental health.

nenishtart · 19/08/2023 11:23

I'd want to look them both in the eye. And I'd like to ask her, "What is with the ovulation stick?"

It does involve her. She's arrived in your boyfriend's city, from America, and is staying in his place. They've had an intense online involvement for months.

I think you are pretzelising yourself into knots to not know what is staring you in the face, and making it your fault for having any feelings whatsoever about this very odd scenario - and your boyfriend is encouraging you to doubt yourself about it being not okay, and to blame yourself for feeling what you're feeling.

MsRosley · 19/08/2023 12:14

Your boyfriend has done nothing wrong!!!! What is this drama about???!!!

@Tandora Why not read through the thread properly instead of posting like a numpty.

Tandora · 19/08/2023 12:46

MsRosley · 19/08/2023 12:14

Your boyfriend has done nothing wrong!!!! What is this drama about???!!!

@Tandora Why not read through the thread properly instead of posting like a numpty.

I’ve done my best to read the thread, although it’s very long , and about very little.

Female friend has come to stay. A stroll in the park was had. A pee stick was (offensively apparently) found in a bin (where else would a pee stick go?) Boyfriend has understandably got impatient with the drama.

You are free to have a different (whack) in my view perspective of course, but no need for hurling insults and rude names.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 19/08/2023 13:00

misskatamari · 19/08/2023 08:01

Good luck today @Whenthepartysover You sound such a lovely, mature person. Please remember that you’ve done NOTHING wrong in feeling this way, and please don’t let your bf make you doubt yourself or turn it around into being your fault. I guess that’s the test of it all really. It could be innocent. But it’s how he responds to you expressing your feelings that is the important thing here. You’ve already tried to raise things and discuss them openly and maturely and that hasn’t gone well. He needs to work at salvaging this now, with genuine honesty and openness. If he switches to this being no big deal, your problem, only an issue because you are making it one, and defensiveness- he’s not a keeper. He’s not actually willing to see you as your own autonomous person who has her own thoughts and feelings which can be the opposite of how he sees things. He “can’t understand” why you feel how you feel? Signs he’s emotionally immature and selfish. I hope it goes well today and that whatever happens you find happiness. You have your whole life ahead of you! You deserve to feel safe, loved, respected and in an equal partnership.

This is a wonderful post. I couldn't have said it better.

Good luck OP, hope it all goes well for you.

Butterflyfluff · 19/08/2023 13:08

The issue is between me and my boyfriend and doesn't concern her anymore, I just want her to leave and never hear of her again.

The problem is that’s not what your boyfriend wants - the sooner you understand that, the better.

littlebopeepp234 · 19/08/2023 13:26

Tandora · 19/08/2023 12:46

I’ve done my best to read the thread, although it’s very long , and about very little.

Female friend has come to stay. A stroll in the park was had. A pee stick was (offensively apparently) found in a bin (where else would a pee stick go?) Boyfriend has understandably got impatient with the drama.

You are free to have a different (whack) in my view perspective of course, but no need for hurling insults and rude names.

Omg how naive! To the point that you wouldn’t even know if your own bf/ partner/ husband was cheating on you 🤣

LouHey · 19/08/2023 13:35

If she's peri-menopausal it might explain the ovulation tests. Presumably they could be used to track her cycle with a mind to start HRT, or track a lack of ovulation (determining hormone levels through one blood test is near impossible, so testing throughout the cycle would be a better indication). Is she mid-40s? It's about the only explanation I can come up with that wouldn't have me thinking she's up to something nefarious lol

Aprilx · 19/08/2023 13:39

LouHey · 19/08/2023 13:35

If she's peri-menopausal it might explain the ovulation tests. Presumably they could be used to track her cycle with a mind to start HRT, or track a lack of ovulation (determining hormone levels through one blood test is near impossible, so testing throughout the cycle would be a better indication). Is she mid-40s? It's about the only explanation I can come up with that wouldn't have me thinking she's up to something nefarious lol

OP has already said she is 33